The Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington (DC Ad Club), in collaboration with the American Advertising Federation (AAF), will bestow the prestigious Silver Medal Award to Doug Laughlin, founder and chairman of LM&O Advertising. The distinction recognizes Laughlin's contributions both as the leader of Washington's largest independent agency and as a pioneer in military recruitment advertising. It also reflects his commitment to creative excellence, community service and high professional standards.
The DC Ad Club will present the Silver Medal Award to Laughlin at a luncheon during Advertising Week DC on Wednesday, September 22, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Laughlin launched his career in 1969, just before the introduction of an all-volunteer military. For the past 40 years, he has shaped the evolution of modern military recruitment, performing pivotal roles in the creation of landmark campaigns, such as "Be All You Can Be" for the Army, "Aim High" for the Air Force, and "You Can" for the National Guard. He has been instrumental in the military's adoption of emerging media, such as movie theatre advertising and the Internet, for recruitment.
In 1995, Laughlin established LM&O Advertising with the acquisition of Bozell, Inc.'s 10-person, $5 million Washington office. Today, the agency has more than $153 million in annual billings and 70 employees.
In addition to servicing military and government accounts, LM&O broadened its clientele to include consumer brands under Laughlin's leadership. The agency's current roster includes Avis Budget Group, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority, BullFrog Sunblock, The Fairmont Washington, DC, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro).